Chapter 66 p1
Qin Qianrou’s return to Meng City during her break was a quiet affair, known only to Lin Shuangzhi and Li Wan. She enjoyed the rare peace and quiet, a day of leisure spent at home.
She had bought this apartment after deciding to work in Meng City. Although she hadn’t necessarily planned on staying forever, she knew that compared to Hai City, where she was constantly under her family’s protection and control, Meng City offered much more freedom.
However, owning the apartment simply provided a permanent residence, eliminating the hassle of moving. For the perpetually busy Qin Qianrou, it still didn’t quite feel like “home.”
She hadn’t invested much effort in personalizing the space, which was why, when she learned of Shen Yiqiu’s difficulties with her roommates at Meng Da, she hadn’t hesitated to let her move in.
Now, the thought of inviting someone else to live with her filled her with reluctance.
Because, in her heart, this apartment had taken on a special meaning, filled with precious memories and a warmth she didn’t want to share with anyone else.
And the person who had brought all this to her, who had breathed life into this empty space, was sitting beside her now, keeping her company.
Qin Qianrou felt the wontons today were exceptionally delicious, the best she had ever tasted.
“What kind of filling is this? I haven’t had it before.”
Shen Yiqiu beamed, “This one isn’t a traditional wonton filling. I found it on a food forum, someone shared their own recipe, and many people commented saying it was delicious after trying it.”
Qin Qianrou seemed to enjoy the new flavor and quickly finished her bowl.
“There’s more in the fridge, you can take some back with you to Hai City tomorrow.”
“It’s a long journey, and the fridge in my hotel room is just a mini-fridge.”
Shen Yiqiu felt a pang of sympathy; Jiejie had to live in such a place for so long.
“Jiejie, can you ask them to let you stay at your family home?”
Qin Qianrou rarely mentioned her family in front of Shen Yiqiu. Even the encounter with Wen Yirong and the dinner with Wen Shao Ze had been unavoidable. Subconsciously, she hadn’t wanted Shen Yiqiu to get involved with the complex dynamics of the Qin family.
Things were different now. If she wanted to move forward with Shen Yiqiu, then understanding each other’s past and their families was inevitable. She felt she knew quite a bit about Shen Yiqiu, but regarding her own family, she wasn’t sure how to explain it.
Since Shen Yiqiu had asked, she might as well reveal a little more, to prepare her.
“The training program has its own arrangements, and there are often group discussions in the evenings, it’s not convenient for me to stay at home.”
“I see, that is inconvenient. Just the commute alone would be tiring.” Shen Yiqiu, recalling the suburban villa where they had stayed last time, assumed that even if Qin Qianrou’s family home wasn’t in a remote location, it probably wasn’t in the city center.
“Transportation isn’t a problem, my family home is not far from the hotel.”
Shen Yiqiu knew which hotel Qin Qianrou was staying at, a well-known, older luxury hotel in Hai City. The facilities probably couldn’t compare to the newer hotels, but the location was prime.
“Jiejie, so your family lives in a prime location.”
Shen Yiqiu’s comment was casual, a common joke about real estate among Hai City natives.
Qin Qianrou pursed her lips, hesitated for a moment, then said, looking at her, “My family lives on Qiyang Road.”
Shen Yiqiu was taken aback. Qiyang Road?
That was an area filled with luxurious villas, not newly built ones either, a place where even money couldn’t easily buy you a home.
“It’s my grandparents’ house. There aren’t many of us, so my parents haven’t moved out.”
So it wasn’t even bought by her parents, Jiejie’s family is old money.
She recalled her cousin’s complicated expression when he mentioned the Qin family, her heart sinking slightly.
“After graduating, I’ve mostly been in Meng City, I rarely return to Hai City, so I don’t visit them often.”
“Jiejie, are you not close to your family?”
Shen Yiqiu wouldn’t have asked this so readily before yesterday. Qin Qianrou was good to her, but she was always tight-lipped about her personal life. Even Li Wan rarely revealed anything.
But if she wanted to truly be with Jiejie, she had to understand her.
“It’s not about being close or not, just differing viewpoints. To avoid conflicts, I chose to come to Meng City.”
Shen Yiqiu casually remarked, “Oh, absence makes the heart grow fonder.”
Then, realizing what she had just said, she quickly clarified, “Not applicable to us, I don’t want any distance between us.”
After saying this, she felt a little embarrassed, but she persisted. She believed that as long as Jiejie gave her a chance, she would be able to express herself better and better.
Qin Qianrou was also learning to respond to Shen Yiqiu. Although not as readily expressive as younger people, at least she was no longer as aloof and distant as before.
“I’ll try to visit more often, to avoid too much distance between us.”
“That would be tiring for you, it’s better for me to visit you.”
Qin Qianrou was surprised. Shen Yiqiu wants to visit Hai City?
“I’m not as averse to returning to Hai City now, in fact, I’m even looking forward to it.”
Her father’s patents had been successfully donated, now being used by professionals to benefit society, which was another way for Shen Zhifeng’s legacy to continue. And the He Chao couple’s imprisonment had also lifted a huge weight from her heart.
Now, when she thought of Hai City, besides the lingering sadness of her family memories, there was also the anticipation of seeing Jiejie.
Hai City no longer felt like a place she couldn’t approach, a place she didn’t want to return to.
“Alright, if you’re not too busy with your studies, you can come visit.”
Shen Yiqiu hadn’t expected Jiejie to agree so readily, and she excitedly pumped her fist, her joy difficult to contain.
“Look at you, like a little child.”
Shen Yiqiu pouted, protesting, “I’m not a child, I’m just being genuine, expressing my true feelings!”
Qin Qianrou couldn’t argue with her, realizing that even a reporter could be rendered speechless.
She shook her head helplessly. Young people these days.
After finishing the wontons, they divided the tasks; Shen Yiqiu cleaned the dishes, while Qin Qianrou made tea.
With nothing planned for the afternoon, and unwilling to go out, Shen Yiqiu was happy to simply admire Jiejie. After all, a living, breathing beauty was right before her eyes, she could never tire of looking at her.
However, it was still better to do something.
Taking the tea Qin Qianrou offered, Shen Yiqiu took a small sip and suggested, “Jiejie, let’s watch a movie together this afternoon.”
“Oh? What do you want to see?” Qin Qianrou picked up her phone, intending to check the movie listings in Meng City.
Xiao Wan had been bragging about her movie date with the team leader last night.
As expected, watching movies was an excellent way to bond.
Shen Yiqiu reached out and gently stopped Qin Qianrou. “Let’s not go out, let’s watch one at home.”
At home? Qin Qianrou realized she probably meant choosing a movie and watching it on the projector.
That wasn’t a bad idea, it would be more comfortable and relaxing, without the distractions of other moviegoers.
Qin Qianrou didn’t like going to the cinema on weekends, the crowds and the noise ruined the experience.
Just as she agreed, she saw Shen Yiqiu running to her room and returning with her laptop.
“What genre do you want to watch, Jiejie?”
She opened her saved movie list; she had a few favorites she often rewatched whenever she had time.
Qin Qianrou scanned the list and chose one.
Shen Yiqiu’s eyes lit up, and she exclaimed excitedly, “That’s my favorite too!”
They chose an animated movie from a few years ago, a touching and heartwarming story.
Shen Yiqiu had watched it twice in theaters, crying uncontrollably both times.
However, she hadn’t dared to watch it again since her parents’ accident.
But now, she felt brave enough to, because Jiejie was by her side.
Shen Yiqiu set up the projector and sat down, joining Qin Qianrou on the long sofa. Although there was a small gap between them, it was still much closer than in a movie theater.
They had both seen the movie multiple times, but classic movies could be enjoyed again and again, each rewatch offering new perspectives, their own experiences and mindsets having changed.
Having seen it before, their tears weren’t as easily triggered as they had been in the theater. But towards the end, Shen Yiqiu, still affected by the story, started crying.
Qin Qianrou pulled her closer, letting her lean on her shoulder, and the box of tissues from the coffee table was placed on Shen Yiqiu’s lap.
She sobbed softly, “Jiejie, I didn’t want to cry.”
Qin Qianrou looked at her tenderly. “I know, but it’s okay, at home, you can do whatever you want.”
Shen Yiqiu wiped her tears with a tissue; this movie was a true tearjerker.
Familial love and romantic love weren’t mutually exclusive, but longing was eternal.
“I won’t forget them, as long as I remember Mom and Dad, they’ll always live on.”
Qin Qianrou held her even closer, her heart aching.
This movie always touched her deeply as well, but not having experienced the same kind of family tragedy as Shen Yiqiu, she could usually control her emotions.
She and Li Wan had also cried quite a bit when they first saw it in theaters.
Especially Li Wan, whose eyes had been red and swollen afterwards, still immersed in the story long after the movie ended.
“Then never forget.”
Qin Qianrou, on impulse, placed a kiss on Shen Yiqiu’s soft hair, a gesture that surprised even herself.
The movie continued, and Shen Yiqiu’s emotions calmed down, but she remained nestled against Qin Qianrou, a position she wouldn’t have dared to imagine before.
“If I ever have the chance to travel to Mexico, I’d like to visit those places.”
“You can plan a trip next summer vacation.”
Shen Yiqiu’s eyes lit up, “Jiejie, will you travel with me?”
Qin Qianrou looked at her, wanting to say yes, but she couldn’t be certain if she would be free next summer.
“It’s difficult for me to take long vacations during the summer, you can go with your classmates.”
Shen Yiqiu’s eyes dimmed, and she mumbled, “I only want to go with you.”
Qin Qianrou couldn’t help but chuckle; this child was becoming more and more attached to her.
“We’ll see, if I’m free, I’ll go with you.”
Shen Yiqiu was ecstatic. “It’s a promise!”
Even just a tentative travel plan was enough to fill Shen Yiqiu with anticipation.
Traveling with Jiejie to a city that had moved her so deeply, what a wonderful dream.
Qin Qianrou, however, was thinking that if they could still travel together next summer, their relationship would surely be established by then.
Hopefully, next summer, we’ll still be together.
Happy times always passed too quickly. No matter how reluctant Shen Yiqiu was, the twenty-four hours of this day would still come to an end.
And today, Jiejie was returning to Hai City.
Li Wan, as before, came to drive Qin Qianrou to the airport in her car. She arrived a little early, and Shen Yiqiu poured her a cup of tea.
After a few sips, Li Wan looked at Shen Yiqiu meaningfully.
“Not bad, in such a short time, you’ve already mastered Qianrou’s tea-making skills.”
Shen Yiqiu, afraid of her saying anything more outrageous, quickly sat beside her and whispered, “Sister Li Wan, don’t joke like that, what if Jiejie gets angry?”
Li Wan glanced at the person packing her luggage in the room, then at the nervous Shen Yiqiu, and gently patted her cheek, her affection evident.
“Relax, you can’t always be like this, you have to treat her as an equal.”
“Jiejie has always treated me as an equal.”
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